Silva's still settling in - Mancini

14 Sep 2010 08:44:00

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes summer signing David Silva needs more time to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League.
Big-spending City forked out £24million to land the Spain international from Valencia in the summer, but Silva has failed to shine so far this season.
Silva has made only one league start for the club and has found himself playing a bit-part role as a result of the impressive form of Adam Johnson and James Milner.
The 24-year-old came off the bench in last weekend's draw with Blackburn and Mancini is confident the tricky winger will come good at Eastlands once he has settled into life in England.
Mancini has blamed his international commitments with Spain as a reason for his slow start to life at City
"The thing with Silva is that we have been able to work with him only a couple of days at a time since he arrived," said Mancini.
"He had just signed for us when he went off with his national team to play in Mexico [during the August international break]. Then he came back and very quickly was off again with the national team again, this time to play in Argentina - another long trip.
"I thought he did very well when he came on [against Blackburn] but I always said that he would need time because it is very different here than playing in Spain.
"The internationals are over now and I think it will be time for him to play in the team from the next game."
Silva believes his gradual adaptation to life in England will assist his chances of regular action under boss Mancini.
"I think that physically, I'm feeling better day by day," he said on the club's official website.
"Of course, I need to get a few more minutes on the pitch to get to optimum fitness levels and I'm sure that will happen with so many games coming up.
"I've been away a couple of times with national team and that hasn't helped.
"I've settled well in Manchester, but again, the international break probably came at a bad time for me.
"I love the club and fans already and I'm starting to learn English so I can communicate better with my team-mates, so as time goes on, things will get easier for me.
"I've been treated really well by everyone and the other players have been great, but I need to push on now.
"The Premier League is exactly the way I thought it would be with a high-tempo to the games. It's very competitive and a challenge, but one I'm enjoying and ultimately hope to thrive in."